AutoFlight, a Shanghai-based company, has recently conducted a flight test with its eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft named Matrix, which the company claims is the largest of its kind.
Matrix Project Details
The Matrix, with a wingspan of approximately 20 meters and a length of 17.1 meters, is designed in two versions: one for passenger transport (up to 10 people) and one for heavy cargo transport. This aircraft marks a shift towards larger platforms, similar to small regional airplanes, rather than experimental urban air taxis.
Regulatory Framework and Competition
AutoFlight's development is closely linked to policy planning and the definition of standards for low-altitude flight in China. Ten Chinese government departments have released joint guidelines to standardize aircraft design, infrastructure, air traffic management, safety oversight, and operational use, with the goal of defining basic standards by 2027 and over 300 formal standards by 2030.
AutoFlight is supported by Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world's largest electric vehicle battery maker, which holds a 38% stake. The collaboration with CATL provides tighter control over energy density and system integration, essential for scaling operations beyond demonstration flights.
Future Prospects
Forecasts indicate that China could see the first passenger-carrying "flying car" services by 2026. AutoFlight is also looking beyond Chinese borders, identifying Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East as priority markets, especially for cargo transport in areas with less developed infrastructure.
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